Nation’s first student American G.I. Forum chapter formed

Last Wednesday, Del Mar College President Dr. Mark Escamilla introduced the nation's first student veterans' chapter of the American G. I. Forum, the Student Veterans of Del Mar College chapter, which is also an official DMC Registered Student Organization (RSO).

Angel Zuniga of the American G. I. Forum swore in DMC students Jose Gutierrez, commander of the student chapter, Vanessa R. Moore, vice-commander, Steven Vela and John Crowell

"The experience was very surreal," said Moore. "It really solidifies the magnitude of what we're doing."

"When we first originated this idea, it was on a very small scale. Now it's on a national level with a national organization here on campus with resources and guidance that we dreamed we'd have access to."

Moore said, "The sky is the limit now,"

Gutierrez thanked the American G.I. Forum and DMC faculty members for all the support he and other founders received during the process of creating the new organization.

He also thanked them for "providing a vehicle for which our veteran brothers and sisters can lead the way nationally for our youngest warriors to obtain and maintain higher education."

Gutierrez said that the whole experience was more than he expected.

"It's really not what I had in my head," Gutierrez said. "My mind wasn't really prepared for what actually happened."

Gutierrez and Moore said that they are looking forward to getting started, although their first priority will be to create a solid foundation and prioritize their goals.

"Once we do that, we can go after our more strategic goals on a national level," Gutierrez said, "We've got a lot of solid talent who are willing, able and motivated individuals who are ready to step it up and get there hands dirty."

The swearing in was held during the Hector P. Garcia Day ceremonies in the presence of family members of the late Garcia (founder of the American G.I. Forum), members of four chapters of the G.I. Forum, and State Representatives Abel Herrero, Todd Hunter and Solomon Ortiz Jr.

Moore said being able to share the night with Dr. Hector P. Garcia's family made the swearing in ceremony even more special for the new chapter.

Ortiz presented Gutierrez with a Texas flag and plaque from the Texas House of Representatives recognizing the hard work Gutierrez and others put into creating the veterans' organization.

Currently, meetings are being held on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.in Conference Room 1 and are open to all students.